It’s one of Indianapolis’ oldest neighborhoods, and some might argue that it’s the coolest. Tucked in pockets of historic Fountain Square, southeast of Downtown, you’ll find upscale and ethnic restaurants, antique and art stores, and a few boutiques.

The area platted in 1835 has experienced a boom in recent years. Linton Calvert, spokesman for the Fountain Square Merchants Association and owner of the Fountain Square Theater building, 1105 Prospect St., said in the past two years, there have been 15 to 20 businesses that have opened.

“With the (Indianapolis) cultural trail, people have connected us to everything in the city,” he said. “The cultural trail has given us a guiding light.”

Calvert said the number of artists taking up residence in the district is also adding to the growth of Fountain Square retail.

“Fountain Square was known as the place to buy antiques,” he said. “They seem to be coming back.”

I had an opportunity to stroll along the streets of Fountain Square, and here are some of the new stores I found on my way:

• My Muse: You might know it by its former name, Urban Kitsch, but owner Marye Lawrence said it was time for a change for the shop at 1048 Virginia Ave. and renamed it My Muse in June. She’s been in business for almost two years.

An artist, Lawrence said 90 percent of Urban Kitsch was artwork, but now she’s all about formal wear. And not just any formal wear, the more extravagant the better. However, don’t think you’re going to pay full price for these gowns. Many of them are finds that Lawrence has gotten from bridal boutique sales, the Internet and even thrift shops.

“When I found a gown at Goodwill, it was a Mac Duggal, a $2,000 dress,” she said. “It just excited me. This dress was sparkly. It was a pageant gown, and that’s what started me going to find other sparkly dresses.”

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While sparkly gowns are her “thing,” Lawrence also sells purses, art and casual resale clothes for women. Not every gown is sparkly though. She has traditional wedding gowns and vintage pieces and even some gowns that have graced a Hollywood red carpet.

Lawrence owns a bronze Claire’s Collection dress that she bought from an auction house and believes it was worn by actress Julie Andrews on the red carpet. She estimates the dress retails for several thousand dollars, but she’s selling it for $600. Wedding gowns ranges from $150 to $750.

“I really look for the edge that puts it over the top,” she said. “You can really get a good deal here.”

• Rogue Decor: Just a few doors down from My Muse is Rogue Decor, 1056 Virginia Ave. The furniture, gifts, art and more store is owned by Adam Graef, who said he had been looking at moving in the Fountain Square area for about three years.

“I’ve always liked this area,” he said. “I just like the foot traffic.”

It took a while for Graef to come to terms with his artistic side. He holds a degree in psychology from Indiana University and worked as an emergency medical technician and at other odd jobs before giving in.

“My parents had dragged me to flea markets and antique sales my whole life — and I guess I kind of decided that I liked the stuff,” he said of his architect dad and art teacher mother.

In 2012, he secured the lease for the store and opened in December.

At the back of the store is Graef’s workshop, where he upcycles items to sell. Most of his merchandise ranges from a couple of dollars on up to $3,000, including a piece which he calls his “most awesomest” leather couch.

Graef said most of his business has been through word-of-mouth and steady, especially his upcycled pieces.

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“It takes me a week or two to finish a project and a person a minute or two to buy it,” he said.

Inside her store, you’ll find trendy dresses and tops, but you’ll also find something a lot of boutiques don’t offer.

“My specialty is, I offer plus sizes,” Chaillaux said. “I really try to have from extra small to 3X.”

She also said she tries to keep her prices reasonable, with most of her dresses costing $25.

“I’m not a traditional boutique in that respect.”

Other new stores in Fountain Square:

• Flux: DeAnne Roth said she wanted to stop “popping up” on weekends and have a space to sell her goods. She and a business partner, Chris Hansen, opened Flux, 1046 Woodlawn Ave., in early May. Roth said they would do pop-up shops on the weekend and pack the space with merchandise, but now it has a boutique feel.

She’s owned the building for years, as it once was her studio. Inside you’ll find art, antiques and what Roth calls curious goods.

“It could be a jaw bone of a bison, folk art of Popeye,” she said of the curious goods for sale at Flux. “It’s fun to see customers go in and say ‘What is this?’ ”

• Acceleration Art and Photography: Gary Lynn, owner of Lynn Competition Chassis Inc. is going into the art and photography business. The studio, 1336 Shelby St., opened July 5.

Lynn said in addition to his photography, his business partner, Jimmy Parson, will be doing some sculpting and metal furniture. Parson, who is from the famous racing family, will be doing the fabrications and oil paintings.